Quote: BarnsleyGull "Why Joe???
Also Tangata is on loan.
And whose going to be the new coach?'"
Avenger is spot on. Sort the coach first.
The front runners amongst the coaching candidates from these shores, if available (big question mark), have to be Danny Ward, James Ford and, more unlikely, John Kear.
If none of the above can be tempted then looking at overseas coaches, which would most likely be a stretch on our budget, maybe former player Steve Georgallis could be tempted to come over and prove himself like Justin Holbrook did with a view to getting a gig back in the NRL if he has success with us. His record does not look too crash hot since he took over at the Bulldogs this season but, having watched nearly every NRL game since the restart, the dogs have improved dramatically under his stewardship – and he has achieved that with a limited talent pool. He is being replaced by Trent Barrett at the end of the season and currently can’t get a gig as an assistant over in Aus so maybe an option.
The incoming coach will obviously have to take a look at the whole playing roster. However, whoever comes in is going to have to bring in the best organiser (Declan Patton is not the answer) we can afford as a priority signing and in order to do that there would have to be a few casualties.
Re the out of contract players, I would say thank you for their services to the club. Of the loanees, I would only be tempted to retain Battye if we can.
The positions which urgently need looking at are full back, half back and prop. We have assembled too many full backs at the club. Hampshire, a la Dufty at the Dragons, should be first choice with one of Walker or Jowitt in reserve – not both. Did not understand the Gigot signing but guess he has utility value across the back line – probably stuck there. OK with Miller as a running half but Jowitt or Declan Patton or Hampshire or Gigot are not the organising half back partner we need. At prop, we have got Fifita (if he stays) / Green / Battye (if he signs permanently). I like the look of Aydin but he needs time to develop and at the moment is a fifth/sixth choice prop.
For me, we need to say goodbye to the OOC players and loanees save for Battye and bring in one organising half and two more props.
We have a decent nucleus of players. We ‘just’ need a) a coach who can motivate, get the players fit and bring structure to our attack and defence and b) a decent organiser and strong captain to deliver all that on the field.
Sounds so easy but given finances...
